Physical abuse is the nonaccidental infliction of physical injury to a child. In most cases, the abuser is normally a family member or other care taker, and is more likely to be male. However,

Doctors, nurses, and other professionals who work with children are required by law to report suspected abuse to their state’s Child Protective Services agencies. Abuse investigations are often a group effort involving medical personnel, social workers, police officers, and others. Some hospitals and communities maintain child protective teams that respond to cases of possible abuse. In addition, government efforts to prevent abuse include home visitor programs aimed at high-risk families and school-based efforts to teach children how to respond to attempted abuse and who to talk to about it. It is crucial that both parents and the child are interviewed thoroughly but also carefully. Investigators must ensure that their questioning does not further traumatize the child. In addition, a physical examination for signs of abuse or neglect is, of course, always necessary, and may include x rays, blood tests, and other procedures (Baker, 1999).

Physical abuse is more often spread evenly among all age groups of children, though the highest rate of physical injury is found among older children between the ages of twelve and seventeen. This latter finding appears to correspond with the increasing parent-conflict which is often characteristic of adolescent development (Governor’s Office, 1996). Although physical abuse can occur amongst all social, ethnic, and income groups, most reported cases usually involve poor families with little education. Reflecting the high rates of poverty among ethnic minorities, minority children enter the child protection system in disproportionately larger numbers (Children Today, 1992). Child mistreatment is also common in familie

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